Reducing the life cycle costs is an objective of many pipeline systems. Improving repair and rehabilitation coating performance and extending the life of below ground pipelines is one way of reducing life cycle costs. For new pipelines the coatings are often factory applied under controlled
conditions. During installation, these factory-applied coatings may require repairs at holidays and field coating at weld joints that should last the life of the pipeline. Once a pipeline system is placed in service, repairs and rehabilitation of the coating system may be needed. Soil stresses, operating temperature and cathodic protection (CP) can affect the coating performance. Selecting the "right'" coating system for repairs and rehabilitation is important to controlling life cycle costs. Prior coating
performance history and testing of coatings are two important ways to evaluate coating systems and improve the performance of repair procedures. Presented are two examples of repair and rehabilitation coating testing programs. One example describes the tests used to evaluate field repair coatings to FBE coated piping. The other example
describes the testing program used to evaluate coatings for rehabilitation of short section of below ground pipe.
KEY WORDS: coatings, pipeline, repair, rehabilitation, testing